Americans
believe in funerals and gives high ratings to funeral directors according to a recent
national survey
In a 1999 survey conducted on a national level, 96% of those surveyed preferred to
attend a funeral or memorial service as the way to show their feelings after a death.
There also has been an increase in the number of people who prefercasket funerals.
Approximately 75% of the respondents preferred ancasket. This figure is up six
percent from a survey given five years ago.
Cremation is growing in popularity. Over the past ten years, the increase of people
desiring cremation has seen a 10% increase. Of those choosing cremation, approximately 75
% preferred cremation for reasons other than cost. Nearly 80% choosing cremation want to
have a traditional funeral service, memorial or some other type of service.
Job performance ratings for funeral directors are higher than what is considered
healthy for a typical industry. Respondents gave a five to one ration of positive to
negative comments. A typical healthy industry standard is considered three to one. This
demonstrates the high standard funeral service aspires for and backs the assertions that
the funeral service as a whole is serving the public in an exemplary manner.
A
response concerning the media’s criticisms of funeral practices
Much has been said in print and on the television about the cost of funerals and of the
practices of a few unscrupulous funeral homes. For the most part, there has not been much
of a response by funeral directors to stand for their good reputations. While absence of a
response may be seen as a sign of guilt, a response can also be seen in a negative light
which is why we believe that some funeral directors remain silent. That being said,
Sheenan Funeral Home offers its own view on what has been printed and said about funerals
and business practices.
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In an article which appeared in Modern Maturity magazine titled "R.I.P. OFF",
a family who is in need of a funeral and is told they must buy more than they want. The
person they were dealing with said: "Don’t you think your mother deserves the
best?" The family resisted and got what they want. They did not receive the price
list that is required by law and they were charged for items they had not been informed
about. In another article appearing in a national magazine it was inferred that a family
was led to believe they needed to pay for a hairdresser to do the hair on a man who hardly
had any hair left! At Sheenan Funeral Home, the needs and wants of the families who call
on them are what is important. There is no pressure put on people to select more than they
want. Every line of the Statement for Goods and Services is explained up front and there
are no hidden or "extra" charges added on later.
What has made Sheenan Funeral Home what it is today is "trust." Trust is not
built overnight, though it can be lost overnight. Tom Sheenan is very sensitive to the
issue of maintaining trust. He has built a quality staff of people who he has the utmost
confidence in, and trusts them with providing the best care a family can receive. When
people put their trust in Sheenan Funeral Home, they can count on receiving everything
they have asked for – and nothing less. It is a great responsibility being trusted
with the process of conducting a meaningful funeral. The funeral can only be completed
once and every person at Sheenan Funeral Home is very mindful of that.
Casket sellers are a relatively new entity, and they are diligently trying to change
consumer buying patterns. They are encouraging people to do more work in arranging a
funeral than they have previously done before by first buying merchandise through them and
then going to the funeral home to select services. The reward for this is measured by a
large savings in dollars. Yet, one will not see a difference if they compare Sheenan
Funeral Home’s caskets to that of the local casket stores. Sheenan Funeral Home
offers name brand caskets with a wide range of styles, materials and prices. Sheenan
Funeral Home is very concerned that all families who call on them get the best value for
their dollar. They offer only quality caskets of all price ranges. There are no bad
choices to be made because Sheenan Funeral Home will not offer anything of questionable
quality.
Currently, the Federal Trade Commission is reviewing their rules and the U.S. Senate
has had their own hearings on funeral service practices. During these hearings, most of
the talk has focused on problems While problems and complaints get aired, those people who
have received quality care and adjust to living without their loved ones only infrequently
tell others about their good experiences with a funeral home. Of course this is human
nature and people sometimes only take notice when a problem arises. Also Senate hearings
are about solving problems and better helping the public. The Senate’s focus on
problems does seem to have neglected the fact that most people’s experiences with
funeral service have been good ones.
There is also the misnomer that funerals are one of the largest expenses of a lifetime.
This is simply not true! Some higher ranking costs a family will encounter include
weddings, private schooling, college education, daycare for younger children, home buying,
cars (not only new, but used as well), hospital stays and even some vacations!
The problem with funerals is that no one really wants a funeral. The death of a loved
one is most likely the worst experience the average person has During the rough time
immediately after a death has occurred, survivors put their trust in a funeral home and
for the most part, they are well served. There are undoubtedly, some unscrupulous
individuals (as there are in other professions as well) who have taken advantage of people
in grief. This abhorrent behavior should not go unpunished. The fact that the number of
good experiences, by far, outweigh the bad cannot be stressed enough!
Sheenan Funeral Home is one of the best funeral homes a family can place their trust
in. They are not merely a place that cares for families when someone dies. Sheenan Funeral
Home pro-actively helps families in planning for their future, assisting their families in
anyway they can when someone dies and continues to be of aid to their families long after
the funeral is over. Sheenan offers a variety of seminars for those interested in learning
more about funerals, grieving, other timely topics and also holds workshops for
professional care providers. "Sensitive Service" is not just a phrase on
their stationary. "Sensitive Service" is what is given to every family
that comes through their doors.
Federal
Trade Commission publishes a new consumer guide
Each year Americans arrange over two million funerals for family and friends. Since
more people are planning in advance and more consumers are comparing prices before
selecting a funeral home, the FTC has published a new consumer guide. This guide in
addition to being an update of the previous (1996) version also incorporates information
on caskets and burial vaults which previously were available in a separate document.
This guide is well organized and includes a glossary of important terms, names of
additional organizations that can provide information on funerals and a page to help
compare costs between different funeral homes. The guide is easy to understand. The
emphasis is on letting the consumer know what is required by law or regulation and to help
them make more informed decisions.
It seems that the FTC is treating funerals more as a product than as a service. They
also place a large emphasis on cost without mentioning quality and value. Price can not be
the sole issue when choosing a funeral home. It is important people find a funeral home
staffed by caring responsible individuals whom a person feels comfortable in placing his
or her trust. People need a place where they can go and get what they want done well and
without hassle. Price, cannot and should not be entirely ignored either. Those who place
their trust in Sheenan Funeral Home receive an outstanding value for their dollar.
For over 67 years, the Sheenan Funeral Home has received and continues to receive the
trust of countless families who call for help during a most difficult time. In addition to
helping those suffering a death in their family, Sheenan Funeral Home offers advance
planning services and bereavement programs for its families plus seminars on a variety of
topics for the community and workshops for care providers. Sheenan’s strives to
provide a meaningful service for each individual they care for and to constantly raise the
standard of care each family receives. "Sensitive Service" is not an
empty phrase but the true maxim of the Sheenan Funeral Home
"Funerals: A Consumer Guide" is available from the FTC at (877) FTC-HELP and
is also available online at www.ftc.gov.bcp/online/pubs/services/funeral.htm
Sheenan Funeral Home
